Description
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal part is the root.
Flower and Fruit
The flowers are in compact, terminal umbels or flattened, compound capitula. The peduncle divides in raylike fashion from one particular point. Each ray divides and forms further umbels with white flowers. The outer flowers are irregular and larger than the others. The florets are small. When in bloom, the flower head is flattened or slightly convex. When they are ripe, the flowers draw together to form a cuplike structure. The double achenes are formed in the fruit umbel. They are slightly flattened and have numerous bristles arranged in 5 rows.
Leaves, Stem, and Root
The Wild Carrot is a biennial, 30-cm to 1-m high cultivated plant with a fusiform, usually red root and numerous pinnate, segmented, hairy leaves. In the second year, the plant produces a branched, angular stem with alternate jointed leaves, which terminates in the flowering umbels.
Habitat
Now found in its cultivated form all over the world.
Production
Wild Carrots are the roots of Daucus carota. The ripe roots are harvested.
Other Names
Bees' Nest, Bird's Neat, Birds' Nest, Carrot, Philtron, Queen Anne's Lace
Actions & Pharmacology
Compounds
Carotinoids: including alpha-, beta-, gamma-, zeta-carotene, lycopene
Volatile oil (very little): including among others p-cymene, limonene, dipenten, geraniol, alpha- and beta- caryophyllene
Polyynes: including falcarinol (carotatoxin)
Mono and oligosaccharides: glucose, saccharose
Effects
Wild Carrot has anthelmintic and antimicrobial activity. It is also a mild vermifuge. The essential oil has an initially stimulating, paralyzing effect on worms. In controlled animal tests, a temporary reduction of arterial blood pressure was observed. The pectin content is probably responsible for the severe constipating effect of the Carrot. The essential oil has a mild bactericidal effect, especially on gram-positive bacteria. The drug has a positive effect on visual acuity and scotopic (twilight) vision, as well as being a mild diuretic.
Indications & Usage
Unproven Uses
The Wild Carrot is an unreliable adjuvant in the treatment of oxyuriasis. It is a useful drug in pediatrics for tonsillitis, nutritional disorders, and as a dietary agent for digestive disorders. It is also used in medicinal preparations for dermatological conditions such as photodermatosis and pigment anomalies. It is used in teas for intestinal parasites.
Precautions & Adverse Reactions
Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. The drug has a low potential for sensitization through skin contact.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
The drug is taken in a ground form or consumed as a juice or vegetable. It is found in ready-made medicinal preparations.
Preparation
The Carrot is finely grated and made into a juice or syrup.
